Moscow ‘Rocked by Wave of Explosions’ as Ukraine Drone Attacks Intensify

Key Points – Ukrainian drone strikes are increasingly bringing the war to Russia’s doorstep, with a bold attack rocking Moscow early Thursday morning, June 26th.

-Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed over 50 drones were launched nationwide, with a pair directed at the capital, forcing the temporary closure of two major airports, Vnukovo and Kaluga.

-This event is part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to disrupt Russian logistics and morale.

-In 2025 alone, Ukrainian drones have caused over 217 temporary airport closures across Russia, a number that surpasses the previous two years combined, signaling a significant escalation in Kyiv’s long-range capabilities.

Moscow Take More Drone Attack Hits from Ukraine

Early Thursday morning, Moscow was rocked by a wave of explosions in one of Ukraine’s boldest drone attacks yet.

Airports Closed Across Russia

Russia’s Defense Ministry said that the country received more than 50 drones. A pair of them were allegedly directed toward the capital.“The alarms went off everywhere,” one resident told Russian media.

Authorities temporarily shut down operations at both Kaluga and Vnukovo airports, two of the capital’s major aviation hubs, before later resuming flights.

It marks yet another disruption in a growing pattern: Ukrainian drones have now caused over 217 temporary airport closures across Russia in 2025 alone, surpassing the total number from the previous two years combined.

While the Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the scale of Thursday’s attack, it is consistent with a broader strategic shift in Ukraine’s use of drones against Russia’s logistics, aviation, and internal cohesion- as well as military targets.

“Moscow is the biggest aviation hub in the Russian Federation,” said Serhii Bratchuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Command. “This is about weakening internal control.”

Military Airfields Hit by Ukraine

Recent Ukrainian drone campaigns have shown increasing technical sophistication and impact. On June 1, Kyiv launched a strike on four Russian military airfields, reportedly damaging or disabling 41 aircraft—including strategic bombers and rare A-50 reconnaissance planes.

Ukrainian officials claimed the strike knocked out a third of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet; however, the actual number is likely lower.

This latest escalation comes amid a backdrop of mounting losses for both sides and growing civilian casualties. Ukrainian officials say over 3,000 non-combatants have been killed or injured by Russian short-range drone attacks since the start of the war. At the same time, Moscow continues to obfuscate about its own losses.

Is Putin Losing Face?

Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen to project to the world that his economy and military are “under control,” but its failure to dodge deep drone attacks casts doubt on his assurances.

As talks plough on, along with chatter about a possible Zelensky-Putin summit, Kyiv’s succession of strikes could be aimed at upping its leverage.

Thursday’s drone assault was hardly the most damaging of the war, but it is surely another blow to Russian morale.

Both the Kremlin and its public are aware that war is increasingly coming closer to their doorstep.

About the Author:

Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.

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